Background:

Plant domestication is a continuous, multidirectional process that is directed via plant selection and management. In the current study we use Piper auritum, an aromatic plant frequently used in Mexican cuisine and for medicinal purpose, to characterize the domestication level using information about its cultural relevance, management practices and leaf traits differentiation in managed and ruderal populations.

Questions:

What is the level of domestication of the aromatic plant Piper auritum? Are there any morphological or phytochemical differences between home garden and ruderal populations?

Studied species:

Piper auritum, Kunth

Study site and dates:

Ten communities in eastern Yucatan, Mexico, from 2019 to 2021.

Methods: Fifty-three

Semi-structured interviews were applied (72 % women and 28 % men). Morphological and phytochemical leaf traits were measured to test management effects using home garden and ruderal populations.

Results:

People interviewed knew P. auritum and its uses. Five culinary and 12 medicinal uses were registered. P. auritum is grown in homegardens and the main management activity is irrigation. The selection occurs at the leaf level according to their size and resistance. Home garden plants registered greater foliar area and hardness and decreased safrole, compared to ruderal.

Conclusions:

Piper auritum is widely known in the communities and has a variety of culinary and medicinal uses. Management is vital for its survival in home gardens, but the species germinates spontaneously and is not usually planted. We found differences in leaf traits in managed and unmanaged populations. With this evidence we propose that P. auritum is under incipient domestication.